Box Score CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Missouri State softball (10-24, 8-4 MVC) dropped its series opener at Northern Iowa (20-10, 8-2 MVC) here Friday night by a score of 5-3. 
 
Northern Iowa jumped on the Bears early, posting three runs in the top of the first inning (Missouri State will be the home team on the scoreboard due to the relocation of the series). A single and a hit by pitch set the Panthers up with two runners on and no outs. Later in the inning, a single to right field and a MoState error allowed two runs to score, then a single up the middle pushed across UNI's third run. 
 
It took a while for the Bears to get going offensively, as MoState managed three baserunners across the first four innings. UNI added a single run in both the fourth and fifth innings with RBI knocks down the left field line to extend the lead to 5-0. 
 
The Bears finally broke through in a big way in the bottom of the fifth inning. After a ground out to begin the inning, MoState strung together four consecutive hits. Brynn Romine got things rolling with a single to the pitcher, followed by a Chloe Merced single through the right side. Missouri State continued to pass the bat as Emily Gerardy knocked a base hit though the left side to load the bases. Alexis Perales then stepped in to pinch hit, launching a double down the right field line to clear the bases, making it a 5-3 ballgame after five innings. 
 
Missouri State had a chance in the bottom of the sixth after Riley Baber singled to lead off the frame. A sacrifice bunt moved pinch runner Elizabeth "EB" Bobbitt over to second. Romine later collected her second hit of the game, a single, to put runners at the corners. Unfortunately, a strike out ended the MoState threat as the game headed to the seventh inning.
 
Both squads were retired in order in the seventh inning as MoState dropped the series opener in Cedar Falls, 5-3. 
 
Perales drove in all three of the Bears' runs on the evening, while Romine collected a multiple-hit performance. Sidney McLaughlin had an impressive outing behind the plate, throwing out two Panthers on the basepaths in the game. Makenzi Swick had another impressive relief appearance, hurling 3.1 innings. Swick allowed just one earned run on two hits while striking out four Panthers. 
 
The Bears and Panthers will play game two of the series tomorrow (April 5). First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.